The Makers Exchange | Craft Market & The Ideas Exchange | Devizes

The Makers Exchange is a new craft event celebrating outstanding regional makers.

Across the weekend the historic Devizes Corn Exchange will become a lively marketplace of contemporary craft, bringing together some of the South West’s most skilled designer-makers.

Visitors will discover beautifully presented stands of ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewellery, clothing and homewares, all designed and made by the makers themselves.

Alongside the marketplace there will be live demonstrations and creative workshops, offering visitors the chance to see tools, materials and process in action and to learn more about the skill behind each piece.

Whether you come to browse, to meet the makers or to find something exceptional to take home, The Makers Exchange promises a vibrant weekend celebrating the creativity of the region.

Friday 22 May | 6.30–9pmThe Peppermill Hotel, Devizes

The Makers Exchange begins with a special evening event for artists, makers and creative people.

The Ideas Exchange is an informal gathering featuring a talk and demonstration from knitwear designer and farmer Katie Allen of Cotmarsh Farm. Katie will share insights into her work and the journey from fleece to finished knitwear.

The evening will include time for conversation and networking with others working across the creative industries.

Many thanks to Original Glory for their support of this event.

For more information and to book your tickets head here.

Saturday 23 May Sunday 24 May 10.30–4.30 Devizes Corn Exchange

Entry £2 Children free (on the door only)

Tea, coffee and homemade cake available throughout the weekend.

Throughout the weekend

Many more makers will be demonstrating their techniques including, The Guild of Traditional Upholsterers, The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild, Aimée Alice Payton lampshade maker, Hannah Cantellow print maker, and many more.

You can have a go yourself at spinning and weaving, or the experiment with the magical cyanotype printing process.

There will be many demonstrations throughout the weekend will include:

Katie Allen (Katie Cotmarsh) – Knitwear Designer & Farmer, Cotmarsh Farm near Marlborough

Katie Allen, also known as Katie Cotmarsh, creates distinctive knitwear inspired by her flock of sheep and the rhythms of life on her Wiltshire farm. She will open the Makers Exchange weekend as speaker at The Ideas Exchange, sharing the journey from fleece to finished knitwear.

Amy Whittingham – Glass Artist, Plymouth

Amy Whittingham creates bold cast glass jewellery and sculpture inspired by coastal ropes and chains, with each link individually modelled in wax and cast in glass. She will be demonstrating her distinctive glass casting process on Sunday 24 May.

Marion Wright – Signwriter & Decorative Artist

Marion Wright specialises in traditional signwriting and decorative painting, using historic hand-lettering techniques to create beautifully crafted signage and decorative work. She will be demonstrating traditional signwriting throughout Saturday 23 May.

Hand Block Printed Linen Cushion

Discover the art of block printing : print onto linen for a cushion design with Tutor Albert Harvey

Date: Saturday 23rd May

Time: 10-4

Location: Corn Exchange

Cost: £115

In this workshop, using lino and linen to make your design, Albert will guide you through the craft of block printing to make a hand printed design on fabric for a cushion.

More information and tickets available to buy here.

Introduction to Sashiko: Japanese Embroidery with Jessica Way

Join textiles artist Jess Way for a relaxed afternoon of exploring the traditional Japanese art of decorative stitch, creating beautifully intricate patterns on fabrics.

Date: Sunday 24th May

Time: 2-4

Location: Corn Exchange

Cost: £35

More information and tickets available to buy here.

Info: The Ideas Exchange is an informal gathering featuring a talk and demonstration from knitwear designer and farmer Katie Allen of Cotmarsh Farm. Katie will share insights into her work and the journey from fleece to finished knitwear.

Info: In this workshop, using lino and linen to make your design, Albert will guide you through the craft of block printing to make a hand printed design on fabric for a cushion.

Albert will introduce you to block printing, the tools and techniques, and then demonstrate the different ways to carve into the lino to form your block design. Under Albert's patient guidance you will develop your design motif for your own unique print. You will be shown how to mix your ink from pigments and then hand block print onto linen fabric.

Albert has arranged to have the fabric sent away after the workshop to be made into a cushion for you. The 40 cm cushion cover is made with piping and a zip and comes with a lovely plump duck feather-cotton cushion insert. A microfibre insert can be organised if you would prefer. Your new cushion will then be posted to you.

There will be a small group in this all day workshop, to allow plenty of time for one to one tuition as well as group demonstrations.

Info: Discover beautifully made work, live demonstrations and creative workshops.

Info: Discover beautifully made work, live demonstrations and creative workshops.

Info: Join textiles artist Jess Way for a relaxed afternoon of exploring the traditional Japanese art of decorative stitch, creating beautifully intricate patterns on fabrics.

We will begin by learning the fundamentals of Sashiko, including the history, methods and cultural significance of this craft. We’ll then spend the evening learning a range of different techniques, creating samples throughout the session that explore pattern and how Sashiko is used for mending.

All materials will be supplied, however if you'd like to bring along a pair of holey jeans/ clothes to practice your Sashiko on, this is very welcome!

No experience necessary - all levels are welcome!

All tools and materials included

Tea and coffee will be available.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Devizes Corn Exchange, The Market Place, Devizes, United Kingdom

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